The Africa Tourism Partners’ Mentor Programme is the first of its kind in the Africa’s Travel and Tourism industry. This programme was launched during 2019 Africa Youth in Tourism Summit & Innovation Challenge in Durban, South Africa. However, the programme lost momentum in 2020 due to COVID-19 virus as it has resulted in not only the collapse of many start-up and entrepreneurship tourism businesses, but also of lack of career and employment opportunities for many fresh graduates and scholars. This is deeply regrettable for African Youth who have aspired to become industry gamechangers, but unfortunately have limited industry networks and relationships. The pandemic further poses a whole different challenge for start-ups and newly employed professionals as they are missing out on being trained, skilled and introduced to industry Thought Leaders, a process which critical for African youth in tourism to harness future opportunities. More so, the situation has also blocked the youth in receiving guidance, insights and knowledge to grow both professionally and personally. It is in the light of this, that ATP would like to intensify this mentorship programme mechanism to catalyse the development of Africa Youth in Tourism in this difficult time.